SELBY DISTRICT COUNCIL
Minutes of the proceedings of a meeting of the Social Board held on 22
September 2009 in Committee Room 2, The Civic Centre, Portholme Road,
Selby, commencing at 5.00pm.
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Minutes
Chair’s Address to the Social Board
Social Board 2008/09 Performance Indicator Report: April 2009 to July
2009.
The Council’s Decent Homes Programme
Budget Exceptions to 31 July 2009
Swimming for the Disabled
Update on the Community Centre Review
Sub-Regional Choice Based Lettings Scheme
Update on Douglas Street, Selby
Vulnerable Gardening Scheme
Possession Prevention Fund
Progress Report, Local Authority owned Garage Sites
Private Session
Leisure Service Transfer – Update Report
Present:
Councillor Mrs G Ivey in the Chair
Councillors:
I Chilvers, K Ellis, Mrs C Goodall, Mr C Lunn, Mrs C Mackman, Mrs M
McCartney, Mrs W Nichols and A Pound.
Officials:
Deputy Chief Executive, Head of Service – Finance, Head of Service –
Housing, Head of Service – Partnerships and Commissioning, Policy and
Partnership Officer and Democratic Service Manager.
Also in
Attendance:
Mr P Furminger, Tenants Representative.
Public:
Press:
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Apologies for Absence and Substitution
Apologies received from Councillors M Davies and D Mackay.
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22 September 2009
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Disclosures of Interest
None.
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Minutes
Resolved:
That the minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of the Social
Board held on 16 June 2009 be confirmed as a correct record and be
signed by the Chair.
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Chair’s Address to the Social Board
The Chair reported that Mrs Carol Baker had obtained a position in the
Planning Department and would therefore no longer be providing a service
to this Board. Councillors joined with the Chair in wishing Mrs Baker best
wishes for the future.
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Social Board 2008/09 Performance Indicator Report: April 2009
to July 2009.
The Head of Service – Housing informed councillors of the priority areas
and management of performance of the Council and the progress that had
been made in 2008/09 for the corporate and statutory National Indicators
for which they were responsible.
Resolved:
That the report be noted.
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The Council’s Decent Homes Programme
The Property Services Manager informed councillors of the delivery of the
Decent Homes Programme. He reported that contractors were making
good progress on the schemes and that Phase 7 of the programme had
been brought forward and would now commence early in 2010. As a
consequence of this it would be necessary to make adjustments to the
budget and this would be decided later in the meeting. (Minute 259 refers)
Councillors were asked to consider the format of future reports on the
programme.
Resolved:
i)
That the report be noted.
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22 September 2009
ii)
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That the existing reporting procedure and report format be
retained.
Budget Exceptions to 31 July 2009
Councillors considered a report by the Operational Management Team
setting out details of the board’s budget exceptions and recommendations
regarding action to be taken.
Recommended to Policy and Resources Committee:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
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That a draw down from the Contingency Reserve of £41,000
to cover costs associated with the Leisure Services Transfer
be approved.
That approval be given to transfers to and from Housing
Revenue Account balances for Housing Rents and Subsidy
That approval be given to a supplementary estimate from
HRA balances of £1.887m to maintain momentum in meeting
the Decent Homes target
That the Social Board Budgets be adjusted to reflect the
savings expected to be achieved this year as per Appendix
B, and that the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan be
amended to take account of projected savings in 2010/11
and 2011/12 where these are not currently allowed for the
budget.
Swimming for the Disabled
The Head of Service – Partnerships and Commissioning submitted a report
concerning the provision of swimming sessions for disabled swimmers.
Trial sessions were held at the Abbey Leisure Centre commencing on 11
January 2009. During the 12 week trial period an average of 4 people
attended, the highest attendance being 8 and the lowest being 1.
The Head of Service explained that since 1 September Wigan Leisure and
Cultural Trust had been managing the Council’s Leisure Services. As part
of the Trust’s plans, proposals were being developed on services for
disabled people including the establishment of a Selby Disability Forum.
It was proposed that discussions be held through the Forum and with
interested parties regarding the provision of swimming opportunities for the
disabled.
Resolved: That
i)
the report be noted.
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22 September 2009
ii)
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Wigan Leisure and Cultural trust be requested to examine
the possibility of providing additional disabled swimming.
Update on the Community Centre Review
Councillors considered a report by the Head of Service – Housing on the
Community Centre Review at the conclusion of Phase 1.
Consultation events had been held at each of the centres to ensure that
local people had an opportunity to put forward their views on the current
and potential uses of the centres.
Full details of the findings were contained within the consultant’s report
which was attached to the report of the Head of Service.
Recommendations were made in respect of the following;
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Improvement of local services
Viable and sustainable services
Extending services to youth and family groups
Partnership and joint funding opportunities
Action planning relating to the Housing Strategy and Community
Safety Strategy
Standardisation of services
Inclusion of new services
Resolved:
i)
ii)
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That the recommendations contained in the report be
accepted.
The continuation of the project through Phase 2 be
approved.
Sub-Regional Choice Based Lettings Scheme
Head of Service – Housing submitted a report updating members on the
development of a Sub-Regional Choice Based lettings Scheme for North
Yorkshire.
Consultations were being held with the local community on proposals for
the scheme with a view to implementation in 2010.
Resolved:
That the report be noted.
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22 September 2009
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Update on Douglas Street, Selby
Councillors considered the Head of Service – Housing’s report on the
redevelopment of the Douglas Street site by Broadacres Housing
Association.
Councillors considered the issues set out in the report and particular
reference was made to the use of capital receipts to provide additional
housing.
Recommended to Policy and Resources Committee.
That 6 affordable units be developed through Broadacres Housing
Group with committed funding from the Homes and Communities
Agency (HCA), which would result in a capital receipt of £100,000.
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Vulnerable Gardening Scheme
Head of Service – Housing submitted a report setting out criteria of the
proposed scheme for vulnerable residents in partnership with Groundwork
Selby.
The scheme was intended to improve the gardens of vulnerable customers
who were unable to undertake the work themselves. To be eligible for the
scheme customers would have to meet a number of criteria.
It was intended that the scheme would be made available throughout the
whole of the district and that funding would be made available from a
variety of sources.
Resolved:
That the Social Board wishes to see residents having access to a
gardening scheme but before approving such a scheme would wish
to see evidence of need and sustainability.
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Possession Prevention Fund
Members considered a report by the Head of Service – Housing
concerning arrangements relating to the Governments New Possession
Prevention Fund. The Fund had been provided to enable Local Authorities
to extend small loans to families at risk of homelessness through
repossession or eviction. Selby District Council had received a one off
payment of £28,500 for 2009/10.
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22 September 2009
Resolved: That
i)
ii)
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the report be noted.
officers be authorised to develop a local scheme and
appropriate procedures.
Progress Report, Local Authority owned Garage Sites
Head of Service – Housing submitted a report setting out progress relating
to the development of garage sites through partnership working with
Registered Social Landlords.
The report set out details of four options for Members consideration.
Resolved: That
i)
ii)
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the report be noted
Option 2, development of sites with a Partner Registered
Landlord resulting in capital receipts of £5000 per plot be
approved.
Private Session
That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government
Act 1972 in view of the nature of the business to be transacted the
meeting be not open to the Press and public during discussion of the
following items as there will be a disclosure of exempt information as
defined in Section 100(1) of the Act as described in paragraph 3 of
Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.
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Leisure Service Transfer – Update Report
The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report giving details of action
taken since May 2009 on the development of the Council’s Leisure and
Sports Development Services in the light of the decision to award the
contract to Wigan Leisure and Cultural Trust.
A Forum was to be established in order to assist with the smooth operation
of the leisure facilties.
Resolved: That
i)
ii)
the report be noted , and
the Chair of the Social Board, the Deputy Chief Executive
and the Head of Service – Partnerships and Commissioning
be appointed to represent Selby District Council on the
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22 September 2009
Selby Forum.
The meeting closed at 7.02pm.
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22 September 2009